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Places We Protect

VVCR Barrier Islands

Virginia

A large group of small brown shorebirds feeding by sticking long beaks into the sand at the edge of the ocean.
Shorebirds Red knots feeding along the shore of Hog Island, Virginia Coast Reserve. © Peter Frank Edwards for The Nature Conservancy

The longest expanse of coastal wilderness remaining on the east coast.

Overview

Description

The 14 undeveloped barrier and marsh islands of the Volgenau Virginia Coast Reserve (VVCR) help to protect Eastern Shore communities from storm surges and sea level rise, as well as providing critical wildlife habitat. The mainland and island preserves of VVCR offer visitors unique natural experiences.

The barrier islands shelter more than 250 species of raptors, songbirds and shorebirds, which find food in the adjacent bays and salt marshes.

For five decades, VVCR's migratory bird program has managed and protected coastal habitats for the bird species that depend on them for survival.

Most TNC owned islands are open to the public for low-impact, recreational day use, such as hiking, bird watching, surf fishing and photography. These include Smith, Myrtle, Mink, Cobb, Rogue, Sandy, Parramore and Revel Islands and the TNC owned portions of Metompkin, Cedar and Hog Islands.

Seasonal restrictions are in place to protect nesting birds—all areas above the high tide line are closed April through August.

Little Cobb and Ship Shoal Islands are CLOSED to visitor use at all times for scientific research and safety reasons.

Access

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Please note: dogs are not allowed on the VVCR barrier islands.

Hours

Daily ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

Highlights

This coastal wilderness is accessible only by boat. Most TNC owned islands are open to the public for low-impact, non-commercial, recreational day use, such as hiking, bird watching, surf fishing and photography. Seasonal restrictions are in place to protect nesting birds—all areas above the high tide line are closed April through August.

Explore our work in Virginia

Visit

  • Islands that are open to the public include Smith, Myrtle, Mink, Cobb, Rogue, Sandy, Parramore and Revel Islands and the TNC owned portions of Metompkin, Cedar and Hog Islands. 

    Pets, motorized vehicles, camping and campfires are PROHIBITED on all islands at all times.

    Harvesting of shellfish is prohibited in all TNC / Virginia Marine Resources Commission shellfish sanctuaries

    Seasonal restrictions are also in place to protect nesting birds. All areas above the high tide line are CLOSED April through August.

    Little Cobb and Ship Shoal Islands are CLOSED to visitor use at all times for scientific research and safety reasons.

    Please help protect these fragile resources and help keep these islands open to the public by observing all visitation policies.

  • Seasonal restrictions are in place April through August to protect nesting birds.

    Please observe the following guidelines:

    • All areas above the high tide line are CLOSED April through August. Remain below the high tide line at all times in all areas on the barrier islands
    • Do not walk on or traverse upper beaches, dunes or mudflats
    • Respect posted areas and corridors

  • Recreational opportunities abound on Virginia’s Seaside for the adventurous visitor, but exploring this remote region must be done respectfully, responsibly and safely. 

    Most barrier islands are open to the public for low-impact, recreational day use, such as hiking, bird watching, surf fishing and photography. Visitation policies vary, depending on island ownership and management, time of year and activity. Seasonal restrictions and closures are in place to protect sensitive natural resources.

    Explore Our Seaside is an online resource created by TNC and partners including the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Virginia Departments of Wildlife Resources and Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, NASA, NOAA and Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission with support from the Volgenau Foundation.  

    Visit Explore Our Seaside to learn more.

  •  

    Islas abiertas para uso diario

    La mayoría de las islas que posee TNC están abiertas al público para uso bajo-impacto, no-comercial y recreacional como paseos, observación de aves, pesca de surf y fotografía. Esto incluye las islas Smith, Myrtle, Mink, Godwin, Cobb, Hog, Rogue, Sandy, Parramore y Revel y las partes de las islas Metompkin y Cedar que posee TNC.

    Mascotas, vehículos motorizados, acampamento y fuegos están prohibidos a todos momentos

    Por favor ayude a proteger las aves que anidan observando las siguientes pautas adicionales durante la temporada de reproducción, desde abril hasta agosto:

    • Quédese a la orilla del mar y debajo de la línea de marea alta a todos momentos y en todos lugares
    • No camine sobre la playa alta, las dunas o la marisma
    • Respete los lugares designados para anidación de aves 

    Islas cerradas

    Las islas Little Cobb y Ship Shoal están cerradas a los visitantes a todos momentos para investigaciones científicas y razones de seguridad.

    Se prohíbe la extracción de mariscos en todos los santuarios de mariscos de TNC/Virginia Marine Resources Commission.

    Para más información sobre las directrices de caza de aves acuáticas, por favor llame a la Reserva de la Costa de Virginia Volgenau a (757) 442-3049.

    La misión de The Nature Conservancy is preservar la tierra y el agua de cual depende toda la vida.

    La Reserva de la Costa de Virginia Volgenau (VVCR) es un proyecto de The Nature Conservancy en Virginia. En 1969, The Nature Conservancy empezó a adquirir las 14 islas y marismas asociadas que componen el corazón de VVCR, a la misma vez protegiendo el área de planes de desarrollo, incluyendo la construcción de marinas grandes, puentes y condominios. A resultado, las islas barreras dinámicas y los paisajes de lagunas componen el área más grande de naturaleza costal que queda en la costa este y sirve de unos de los hábitats más críticos para aves migrantes en el mundo. Por favor ayude a proteger estos recursos frágiles y a mantener estas islas abiertas al público observando todas las directrices de visitación.

    Para más información, por favor llame a la oficina de la Reserva de la Costa de Virginia Volgenau a (757) 442-3049 o visite a www.nature.org/vvcr.

WATCH: Every year from April through August, thousands of birds nest and raise their young on Virginia's barrier island beaches. Learn what you can do to share the beach and help protect these birds and increase the chances of nesting success.

Welcome to VCR (1:32) VVCR's coastal wilderness is one of the most critical migratory bird habitats on Earth.

Explore Nature

Need more nature? Visit some of TNC's other preserves.

Find More Places We Protect

The Nature Conservancy owns nearly 1,500 preserves covering more than 2.5 million acres across all 50 states. These lands protect wildlife and natural systems, serve as living laboratories for innovative science and connect people to the natural world.

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